▲ Literary Painting Artist Sookja Ji

From traditional literary painting methods to abstract modern Korean painting methods

Literary painting artist Sookja Ji held a solo exhibition at her booth in the Soaring Exhibition of Korean Artists at the Korea Art Festa held at the Korean Art Museum in Insa-dong from the 24th of last month. The Festa is the largest art exhibition event in Korea, with a total of 10,000 artists participating since 2010. The 13th Soaring Exhibition of Korean Artists also garnered many interests. At her solo exhibition this time, Ji shifted her traditional literary painting methods to abstract modern Korean paintings methods. She won the grand prize in the literary painting category at the Grand Art Exhibition of Korea, the Chungbuk President prize of the Federation of Artistic & Cultural Organization of Korea, and the grand prize at last year’s Korea International Art Festival.

 

< Interview >

 

Q. I can see changes in your work.

A. I have been working with traditional literary brushstrokes for the fun of creating a lively flavor of vitality. Since the latter half of last year, I’ve been aiming for more passionate paintings, with a narrative twist. The landscapes in my new work have trees and insects, some vibrant and some decayed. As I applied contemporary expressionistic techniques, I was able to incorporate semi-abstract and acrylic paint techniques to capture more active movement. Fortunately, my solo exhibition this time is also receiving good responses, calling it a “passionate painting,” which makes me feel good.

 

Q. I see difference in your new style literary painting.

A. As various expression techniques are applied to literary paintings, a sense of perspective seems to be felt even though the screen settings are not perspective. The unintentional volume looks fantastic, and I feel like I know a little bit more about “why abstract” now. In Korea, there is something called Dansaekhwa. I found abstract art expressed in only one color, ink or black brown, very attractive. Like artist Hwanki Kim, a pioneer of Korean abstract art, I became increasingly greedy for semi-abstract paintings that could express the spirit of patience and perseverance. I’d like to refresh the look and feel, and I’d like the content to be more philosophical, and I’m encouraged to hear that you’re passionate about it.

 

Q. From the materials to the technique, it was a very fresh choice for the artist.

A. I think so, too. I wanted to stain it first, and then use the modern art techniques I’m studying to reveal the living, breathing story behind the wood grain. Sometimes the story was eaten by insects, sometimes it was pecked by birds. I added ink and crayon dabs to the background to create a more realistic wood grain. I think of abstraction as the artist defining the expression, rather than the literal representation of a water droplet, for example. The same goes for materials. After working with lacquer paper since last year’s Ochang exhibition, I’ve been hungry for a bigger picture, and I’ve even gotten to the point of using Zhang Ji paper with bigger sizes. When I made a large-scale work, up to a 4-meter piece with three sheets of lacquer paper, I was able to further exude strong and brave aura.

 

Q. What the challenges you are looking for?

A. I want to make my signature ‘crab’ drawings even more interesting. The key to that is what new techniques I can introduce to my wallpapers. I would like to study and obtain a qualification in modern art utilizing scratch and printmaking methods to further upgrade my work and pass it on. 

 

Q. I heard that you recently published an essay about yourself.

A. I was able to carve out time to complete the essay. I wanted to show the reader that there are many different things that can be done under the umbrella of characterization, and that there are many different expressive techniques. I want to pass on to future generations that traditional literary painting can go as abstract and global as it can be when you push the boundaries and apply new techniques. My techniques, my first attempts, and my message are all in the essay. I hope that through my essay, to-be-artists can easily access, utilize, and express their paintings. I want to be remembered by future generations as someone who paved the way for Korean K-culture. I have a work that represents a bamboo painting about 10 meters long. I would like to deliver the bamboo painting, which is a feng shui symbol of good luck, happiness, and fortune, to former U.S. President Trump, who is in the spotlight these days. I want to spread the essence of Korean orientalism across the ocean to the world.

지윤석 기자  jsong_ps13@naver.com